Eager panto fans queue for first panto tickets at Oldham Coliseum for 2020

Chris Lawson with panto fans queuing for NEXT YEAR'S pantomime

On Saturday 16th November eager pantomime fans queued outside Oldham Coliseum Theatre to book the very first tickets for 2020 – 2021’s pantomime. 

The opening day of this year’s pantomime – this year it’s Jack and the Beanstalk - is traditionally the day the theatre announces the pantomime for the following year, with a huge poster going up outside the Fairbottom Street building and tickets going on sale from 10am.  

Pantomime fans queuing outside the Coliseum were greeted by the theatre’s Acting Artistic Director, Chris Lawson, who brought them all a nice warm brew and a mince pie. 

Anna and Malcom Wright from Middleton said: “We’ve been coming to the panto at the Coliseum since our daughter was three and she’s now 46!

"We’ve been queuing to buy tickets the day they go on sale for the last 12 years – we want to make sure our grandchildren, who we now bring, have the best possible experience.

"We love the Coliseum panto and think it’s the best one we’ve ever been to. We love that it’s traditional.”

Lilian Melville from Southport gets up early each year and travels a long way to buy her tickets the day they go on sale.

“We’ve been coming to the panto at the Coliseum for over 40 years – it’s the best panto around. Much better and much more affordable than the pantos in the big cities like Liverpool and Manchester.

"Today’s a long day for me – after buying these I’ll spend the day in Oldham, then my family and friends will come over later, get something to eat and we’ll watch Jack & the Beanstalk tonight – I can’t wait!”

2019-2020’s pantomime will be Aladdin, who flies into Oldham on a magic carpet with a combination of hit songs, silliness and plenty of festive magic. 

Aladdin dreams of a better life for himself and his mother, and when he finds the magic lamp it seems that his wishes have been granted.

But hiding in the shadows the evil Abanazar will stop at nothing to get hold of the magic lamp and rule the land. With the help of the Genie of the Lamp, join Aladdin as he tries to save Princess Jasmine and stop Abanazar from taking over.

This year’s production, Jack and the Beanstalk, is sponsored by George Hill Timber, Jigsaw Homes and N Brown Group. The pantomime’s Educational Partner is Oldham Hulme Grammar School. 

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